In April, 福利导在线观看鈥檚 College of Nursing hosted its inaugural Behavioral
                                                      Health Nursing Summit, called 鈥淔ostering Connection in Nursing Practice: Cultivating
                                                      Healthy Resilience in Behavioral Health Care.鈥 More than 175 attendees participated
                                                      in the daylong summit, including faculty, staff and students from Radford and other
                                                      universities, as well as leaders from government agencies, hospitals, healthcare clinics
                                                      and larger healthcare systems throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond.
                                                   
                                                   In her welcoming remarks, Provost Bethany Usher said, 鈥淎s a regional public university,
                                                      福利导在线观看's mission is to not only give an excellent education to our diverse
                                                      and talented students, but also to make a positive impact on Southwest Virginia and
                                                      the entire commonwealth. With today鈥檚 program of speakers and activities, I know that
                                                      the knowledge you are sharing will be important. But it's also clear that building
                                                      community amongst you all will be equally important.鈥
                                                   
                                                   Featured speakers were Nelson Smith, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Behavioral
                                                      Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), and Donna Wright, expert in healthcare
                                                      professional development and renowned author. In interactive sessions with attendees,
                                                      they shared insights about the state of behavioral health today, along with opportunities
                                                      to improve delivery and outcomes as well as barriers to overcome.
                                                   
                                                   
                                                   
                                                   鈥淲e were thrilled by the outpouring of support for this inaugural event,鈥 said Deidra
                                                      Pennington, undergraduate nursing department co-chair. 鈥淭he wide variety of participants
                                                      coming from universities, clinics and hospitals and state agencies reflects the interest
                                                      in and importance of behavioral health today.鈥
                                                   
                                                   As part of the event, Smith announced 10 new scholarships for full-time DBHDS facility-based
                                                      RNs at participating facilities. The 鈥淒BHDS RN-to-BSN scholarship鈥 will provide RNs
                                                      with full tuition of $10,620 to pursue 福利导在线观看 College of Nursing鈥檚 RN-to-BSN
                                                      program, a 10-month, 100% online program. The fast-track program is designed to help
                                                      RNs advance their careers and boost their earning potential by expanding their skills
                                                      and knowledge while enhancing their understanding of behavioral healthcare policy,
                                                      nursing care and administration, and evidence-based practices.
                                                   
                                                   鈥淭he new scholarships provided by Commissioner Smith will have far-reaching implications
                                                      for behavioral health RNs across Virginia,鈥 said Wendy Downey, dean of the College
                                                      of Nursing. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor for the commissioner to support 福利导在线观看 and
                                                      the College of Nursing鈥檚 commitment to excellence in developing professional nurses
                                                      to meet the behavioral health needs in our communities.鈥